The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is responsible for the education needs of primary, secondary and adult students across thousands of geographical locations within the state of Victoria. The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development maintains more than 200,000 computers located over 2,000 locations. These resources are utilised by 536,000 primary and secondary students, 70,000 teachers, and non teaching staff.

 

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development was falling behind real world technology, and with a vision for moving forward, engaged OBS to develop and implement the technology projects required to achieve their vision to become a world class education provider.

 

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development knew the ‘big picture’ of collaboration and connection was achievable, but realised that this would require a huge commitment to gather business requirements and support the undertaking with regard to both capital and operating expenses.

 

Projects undertaken by OBS on behalf of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development over the last ten years have included the development of EduMail- a Microsoft Exchange based Email network which is the 2nd largest Outlook Web Access site in the world, implementation of a centralised SharePoint 2007 portal called edugate, and the upgrade of EduMail to Exchange Server 2003.

 

These changes have benefited Victoria’s government schools, plus adult education, training and youth services. For both staff and students, real time collaboration is now a reality, information easily accessible both onsite and through mobile devices, and as a consequence productivity has been increased significantly.